Hong Kong National Security Law

Media tycoon and pro-democracy activist Jimmy Lai was convicted by a Hong Kong court on two counts of “colluding with foreign forces” and one sedition count under a colonial‑era law, with Judge Esther Toh issuing an 855‑page verdict saying Lai had issued a “constant invitation” to the U.S. and citing July 2019 meetings with then‑Vice President Mike Pence and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo plus 161 publications, social posts and texts; the 156‑day trial was held without a jury. Sentencing hearings for Lai and co‑defendants to argue for shorter terms are set to begin Jan. 12, while supporters and rights groups called the proceedings politicized and observers noted Lai has spent more than 1,800 days largely in solitary confinement with deteriorating health amid a wider national‑security crackdown.